Electrical circuit



F. S. .JONESQ April l, 1930.

ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT Filed Feb. l2, 1927 Patented Apr. l, 1930 FFCE FRANK S. JONES, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT Application filed February 12, 1927. Serial No. 167,729.

Myrinvention relates to an electrical circuit. More particularly my invention relates to an electrical circuit for the conveyance of electrical energy for the operation of a plurality of current consuming means.

For clearness and deliniteness of illustration will describe my invention as applied in a circuit designed for the operation of a plurality of lamps, or a plurality of transfoi-mers, or a combination of the two for street lighting systems, but it is to be distinctly understood that my invention is not to be restricted to any such definite or speciiic application.

The electrical circuit embodying my invention is characterized by having a control line directly through the current consuming means and means for the control of a plurality of street lamps connected direct or through a plurality of transformers. This method of control eliminates the present prac tice of using high voltage series circuit lines for the source of power to supply series lamps and control as oered in present practice and common practice control line. Also, it will be noted that a` wide degree of control characterizes my invention.

The present circuits employed in street lighting are almost exclusively. what is known as series circuits carrying exceedingly dangerous high potential currents. In case of a re in a given block in a city, it is necessary at the present time for the fireman to cut these high potential wires, and this often results in his electrocution, the insulated tools supplied for such cutting being found far from infallible in practical operation. As a result in every city of any size this very great hazard exists.

Further objection obtains to the series circuits in that interrupting the circuit means the putting out of all lights throughout that given circuit, the areav embraced by such circuits varying with the capacity of the 45 const-ant current transformer which furnishes the energy for the series street lamps.

The separation of a series lighting circuitputs sections of cities in darkness which not only interferes with the progress of pedes- 50 trians but hinders police and lire protect-ion,

and owing to the hazard of handling high potentials, these circuits cannot be repaired without disconnecting this system from the source of supply at the central station. Furthermore7 the hazard to operators, who are compelled to work on series lights and constant current transformers, constitutes possibly the Greatest hazard of central station operation and distribution service.

The remaining percent of circuits which are employed for street lighting, are circuits that are known as multiple circuits. Wlhile these circuits provide lower potential as compared to the series circuits, nevertheless serious objection obtains in that such circuits do not have a wide range of control.

These multiple circuits are generally controlled from manually operated switches, time clocks and from series transformers and relay switches from series higlh potential street lighting circuits, which, owing to their causing many shutdowns, have proven in practice to be subject to serious objections from the operators point of view.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a system of street lighting which overcomes the objection above set forth, and more particularly to provide a circuit which is characterized by low potential and by possessing a very wide range of control.

rllhe system of control employs low potential and insures continuity of light service. By control I mean that a given number of lights, even as low as one or three or four, ordinarily used in a block on one side of the street, may be extinguished without in any wise interfering with the lights of the remaining system.

Another primary purpose of my invention is to provide a single circuit characterized by having low potential, wide range of control, greatly reduced amount of wiring, and a greatly reduced amount of energy used in the control circuit.

The above general objects of my invention, together with others inherent in the same, are obtained by the device or circuits illustrated in the following drawing, the same being preferred exemplary forms of embodiment of my invention throughout which too drawings like reference numerals indicate like parts.

Figure 1 represents a circuit for street lighting embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 represents a circuit embodying my invention for extension lighting to cover an entire city.

Potential feeder lines 3 and 4 may carry the regular potential of 110 to 500 volts to groundor neutral line 5. A ground connection for neutral line 5 is provided at 6.

Lights 7, 3, 9 and 10 represent the ordinary number of lights for an average downtown street block. Line 11 is connected to neutral line 5 at 12, and leads tothe relay 13, shown in closed position and in operative position with energizing master relay holding coil 30. Line 14 leads through said lamps 7, 8, 9 and to line 15, which connects with distributing line 4 at 1G. Line 14 also connects with relay 17 of the next block, while line 18 leads oi'f from the neutral line 5 at 19, and line 20 leads from relay 17 which has coil 34 through lights 21, 22, 23, to line 25, which is connected to distributing line 3 at 26. Line could be joined to line 4 precisely as line 15, but for purposes of balancing the use of the power, these connections are preferably alternately connected, first to distributing line 4 and then 3. Line 2O connects with another relay 27 having coil 35 in the saine manner as line 14 is connected to relay 17, and thus one block after another is connected. Relay 13 is also connected byline 23 from distributing line 4 at 29 to coil 30, the other side of said coil being connected by line 31 to switch 32 and thus in turn to neutral line 5 by line 33.

1n operation it is manifest that the current would flow with the relays in closed position as shown through conductor 15 and through the lights to conductor 14, through conductor 11 to neutral line 5. 1n each block a corresponding fiow of current would obviously flow. Y

Assuming that it is new desired to extinguish the lights at day break, it is only necessary to close switch 32 which energizes the relay coil and disconnects conductor 11 from line 14 by opening the relay switch 13. rllhis directly extinguishes the lights 7, 3, 9 and 10. Thereupon a circuit is established between line 15 directly connected at 16 to feeder 4 through the lights 7, 8, 9 and 10,

hrough that portion of line 14 extending from the lights to the coil 34 and from coil 34 through line `13 back to neutral 5 at 19. Vfhile the interrupting of the line 11 and 14 by opening of the relay 13 reduces the iow of current through the lights 7, 3, 9 and'10 to an extent which extinguishes them, nevertheless there is a suficiently small current permitted to iiow through said lights to establish the circuit through the coill 34 and line 18. This current while being insufficient to light the lights 7, 8, 9 and 10 nevertheless is of sufficient magnitude to energize coil 34 to the extent necessary to open the relay 17, and in this manner lights 21, 22, 23 and 24 are extinguished in the next block precisely as were lights 7, 8, 9 and 1() extinguished by the opening of relay 13. Upon the extinguishing of lights 21, 22, 23 and 24 a circuit is thereupon created in line 25 through the lights 21, 22, 23 and 24, and through that portion of line 2O extending between the lights and the coil 35 and back through a line (not shown) in the next block corresponding to line 18, which in turn results in energizing coil 35 to the necessary extent to open relay 27, and' this in turn extinguishes the lights in that block which is not shown, and in this manner the lights are extinguished in succeed'ng blocks or succeedingv circuits whether the same be lighting or power.

1n case of a lire in the block in which lights 7, 3, 9 and 10 are located, the firemen or operators have only to cut line 15, which directly throws cut the lights 7, 8, 9 and 10 and removes all danger from any electric wiring in that block. Since they have severed the live line, namely 15, there would be no leakage of current through the lights to energize relay switch 17, so that all the remaining blocks are left in lighted condition. The voltage in line 15 ordinarily being only 110 and since any voltage below 500 is considered low'voltage, there is practically no hazard. This satisfies Safety First Commission rules and the severing of the line may be accomplished without injury to the operators. Assuming that some accident has interrupted control lines 33 and 31 it is manifest that since that lircuit would be broken there would not be any energizing of coil 30, therefore, relay switch 13 would remain closed and all the lights would remain on. ln accordance with common present practice interruption in the control line extinguishes the lights subject to its control. However, it will be noted in the circuit embodying my invention that even though the control circuit is broken nevertheless this does not extinguish the lights and there is no inconvenience to the traveling public or the police department.

Lines 36 and 37 represent the distribution lines for cross streets, and line 38 represents neutral for said distribution lines,'and the connection of these lines with lines 3, 4 and 5 is shown at 39, 40 and 41 respectively. Likewise linesl 42 Yand 43 are another cross distribution line system having neutral line 44, having connections 45, 46 and 47 with lines 3, 4 and 5 respectively.

lt will be obvious that the light' 7, 8, 9 and 10 may be staggered on opposite sides of the street so that provision is made for both sides of the street or avenue. Furthermore, it will be observed that the distribution lines3, 4l

andthe neutral 5 may be disposedin the alleyway and suitable connections made to supply the lights on adjoining streets. Instead of lights 7, 8, 9 and l0, it is obvious that transformers may be used and there might be a combination of lights and transformers.

The circuit shown in Fig. 2 illustrates how the distribution lines illust-rated in Fig. l may be connected to form an extended system, which may cover an entire city. The distribu tion lines A, B and C may represent the lights fed by a given substation, while the distribution lines D, E and F represent the lines supplied by a different sub-station. These lines constitute the secondary distribution systems.

In the line 48 a switch is placed which switch corresponds to switch 32 in Fig. l instead of controlling one relay-coil mechanism 50 and 5l, i. e., a multiple operation of relays.

As herein described, lamps have been indicated as the current consuming means. However, the term current consuming means is intended to include transformers, motors, heaters, electrical controls and the like. Also, as is well known, the earth may be the neutral or return line.

Obviously, changes may be made in the form, dimensions, and arrangement of the parts of my invention, without departing from the principle thereof, the above setting forth only a preferred form of embodiment.

I claim:

l. In an electrical circuit of the character described, multiple distribution lines one of which is a neutral conductor; a plurality of current consuming means having individual circuit connections with said distribution lines and neutral; a coil and a relay switch operatively disposed between t-he circuits of said current consuming means, said coil having a line connecting one terminal thereof to the neutral line of one circuit and a line connecting its other terminal to the neutral line of the adjacent circuit and said relay switch being operatively disposed with respect to said coil and disposed in the neutral line of the adjacent circuit, said relay being operable by a current of less magnitude than is required to operate said current consuming means whereby an interruption in the current consuming means circuits which will cause the said means to be inoperative, results in a circuit being established through said means and through said coil to one of the lines of the circuit of the second current consuming means, whereby said coil operates said relay which in turn provides an interruption in the second current consuming means circuits. j

2. A circuit of the character described embodying multiple distribution lines one of which is a neutral conductor; a plurality of current consuming means circuits connecting said means to said distribution lines; a coil and a relay operatively disposed between each of said circuits, said coil having a line connecting one terminal thereof to the neutral line of one circuit and a line connecting its other terminal to the neutral line of the adjacent circuit and said relay switch being operatively disposed with respect to said coil and disposed in the neutral line of the adjacent circuit, each of said coils having a resistance greater than the resistance of each of said current consuming means circuits and said relay switch being normally in closed position; and a switch means whereby the current in one of said circuits may be opened thereby discontinuing operation of the current consuming means of each of the other circuits.

3. An electrical circuit of the character described embodying multiple distribution lines one of which is a neutral conductor; current consuming means; a line from said means to said distribution line; a line from said means to said neutral; a master switch in said last line; a second line from said last line to said neutral; a relay coil in said second line; a relay switch operatively disposed with respect to said relay coil; a line connecting said relay switch to said second line; a second current consuming means; a line connecting said second current consuming means to said distribution line; and a line connecting said relay switch to said second current consuming means.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day of January, 1927.

FRANK S. JONES. 

